US says Iranian port blockade to begin as NATO allies refuse to join – National
The US military issued a warning on Monday that it would enforce a blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman – east of the Strait of Hormuz – as talks to end the war with Iran broke down over the weekend, US Central Command said in a statement to marines.
The notice said the blockade would begin at 10 a.m. Eastern, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump. The Gulf of Oman is a strategic area of water in the Arabian Sea, just east of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked for weeks from international shipping.
“The embargo will be indiscriminately enforced on ships of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman,” the US military said in a statement.
Meanwhile, NATO allies, including Britain and France, say they will not get involved in the conflict by participating in the blockade.
“We don’t support a blockade,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC.
“My decision was very clear that no matter how much pressure, and there was a lot of pressure, we will not be drawn into the war,” he said.
The US said it “will not restrict the freedom of navigation of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
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“Any vessel entering or leaving the blockaded area without authorization is subject to blockade, diversion, and detention,” the note said.
The embargo “covers all Iranian coastlines including but not limited to ports and oil terminals,” the note said, adding that shipments of aid including food, medical supplies and other essential goods would be allowed, subject to inspection.
Tehran has threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbors after talks over the weekend failed to reach an agreement to end the war, leaving a ceasefire in jeopardy.
Oil prices rose when trading reopened on Monday, with no signs of an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ease the worst supply disruption.
Since the start of the war, Iran has effectively blocked all shipping except its own, saying that shipping will only be allowed under Iranian control and subject to payment. Trump has said that he is now going to block Iranian ships, and any ships that pay for Iran.
Two Iranian-linked tankers, Aurora and New Future, loaded with oil and diesel products, left the road on Monday shortly before the US shutdown began, according to data from supplier LSEG.
An Iranian military spokesman, quoted by state media, said any US restrictions on ships in international waters would be illegal and tantamount to “criminality.” If Iranian ports are threatened, no port in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman will remain safe, the spokesman said.
Earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said any warships approaching the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
On Sunday, Trump wrote on social media: “No one who pays illegal money will get safe harbor at sea,” adding, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful ships, WILL GO TO HELL!”
– via files from Reuters
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